Pakistan: A Nation for Hire?

[A.M.]

Pakistan: A Nation for Hire?
​

Written by user A.M. for Pakistan Defense Forums​

Pakistan’s history is littered with events where foreign Islamic nations have asked for assistance and this nation has answered the call every time. Over time such assistance has almost become a given as opposed to something that other nations should be thankful for. As the recent tension with Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates illustrates, it’s evident that we are now expected to provide soldiers for hire whenever there is a conflict in the Islamic world and especially in the Middle East. It doesn’t even matter if our help is necessary or not. Exacerbating the issue is the fact that certain factions within Pakistan promote such behavior as if this nation is responsible for the stupidity of others around the world.


One must ask, why Pakistan? Are we simply being used by others for their personal benefit? Why are some factions within Pakistan hell bent on involving us in conflicts that don’t concern us and offer no strategic benefit to us? The conflict involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen has brought this issue to the forefront and something that needs to be discussed using facts instead of religious emotion. Does Saudi Arabia actually need our help or, once again, is our assistance expected just because? One must also ask, where were these nations when Pakistan was in deep trouble a few years back?


In April, Pakistan’s Parliament voted unanimously in favor of the country’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict in Yemen. From an outside perspective, the decision made absolute sense. The country had a war raging in the North West, tensions rising along the eastern border with India and the western border with Iran and domestic operations going on in multiple provinces. It had zero capacity to get involved in another conflict, especially one with sectarian implications. Pakistan already has had issues containing sectarian violence at home and involving itself in a conflict which is essentially a manifestation of Sunni – Shia struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran could have had disastrous results at home. Pakistan also shares a border with Shia dominant Iran while Saudi Arabia does not.


Another reason for the neutral stance was the Chinese – Pakistan Economic Corridor. China has executed agreements of over $40 Billion to connect the Chinese and Pakistani cities of Kashgar and Gwadar. The agreements include construction of several infrastructure projects including roads and railways between the two cities. A significant concern for the Chinese has been the law and order situation in Pakistan because, after all, if a nation is pouring billions of dollars into another country, it wants assurances that the investment will be safe in the long run. It is rumored that there was pressure from the Chinese to focus entirely on resolving the issues at home instead of sending soldiers to other countries.


On its face, the parliament’s decision was the right one. So why the uproar? Within hours, leaders from Saudi Arabia and its allies in the Middle East were condemning the vote privately and publicly. Pakistan was warned of having to pay a “heavy price” for its decision and was accused of turning its backs on allies. Within months, the prime minster from India was invited for a visit to UAE almost as if to teach Pakistan a lesson for misbehaving. The fact of the matter is that Saudi Arabia doesn’t need our assistance in this conflict or any other for that matter. It has a military budget that is five times larger than Pakistan’s, it is surrounded by friendly or weak nations, its military is equipped with the best hardware that money can buy, it routinely executes multi-billion dollar deals with western nations. As this article was being written, King Salman was in the U.S. to sign a $1 billion arms agreement. The kingdom already has enough friends to support its adventures in the Middle East, it doesn’t need another.


It’s high time that our government articulate a tough stance on this issue and make it clear, internally and externally, that Pakistan isn’t a nation for hire. Pakistan will get involved in foreign conflicts, but as a mediator, not aggressor. Pakistan will take a neutral stance on conflicts so it can solve them, not inflame them. Pakistan’s sons won’t give up their lives for someone else, their blood will only be spilled to protect this nation from its enemies. Pakistan should forge strategic relations with nations who invest in Pakistan, not countries who grant “friendly gifts” to sway the politicians in their favor. “Friendly nations” who won’t admonish logical decisions, but will support them.


This is a critical time for Pakistan and the focus should be at home so that this country can move forward and realize its true potential. Our primary concern should be the people of Pakistan and not Kings and Ministers of other nations. We are a proud nation and its time we start behaving like one.


@WebMaster @Horus @fatman17 @Serpentine @Oscar

 

[A.M.]

Sources:


Pakistan: Between Asia and the Middle East | The Gate


UAE minister warns Pakistan of ‘heavy price for ambiguous stand’ on Yemen - Pakistan - DAWN.COM


Pakistan Weighs Saudi Request to Take Part in Yemen Operation - WSJ


http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/04/u...-when-saudi-king-visits-white-house.html?_r=0


World Military Strength Comparison


Pakistan vs Saudi Arabia Military Stats Compared



This is my entry for the contest. Hope you enjoy it.

@syedali73
@Slav Defence
@Armstrong
@niaz
@Secur

 

[macnurv]

And here come the GCC apologists in 3..2..1..

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

@A.M. interesting piece. Now replace some of the emotional wording with professional analysis grammar and you'll be set.

 

[Zibago]

The sectarian nature of the Yemen crisis makes it so dangerous

 

[Kaniska]

It is a very good write up...Keep it up...PDF needs this kind of analytical write ups...

 

[I M Sikander]

Let the arabs and Iranian settle their score themselves. No need to suppport any of them even morally.

 

[I.R.A]

@A.M. First of all for your information, tag five people at a time, more than that won't get notification of your tag. Second good write up and best of luck for the competition. Third

It’s high time that our government articulate a tough stance on this issue and make it clear, internally and externally,

My personal opinion is we cannot afford any Muslim states to avoid us or show unnecessary enmity for the time being, why tough stance and not play diplomatically, refuse and keep them happy at the same time?

 

[A.M.]

@A.M. interesting piece. Now replace some of the emotional wording with professional analysis grammar and you'll be set.

Uss mein kiya maza hai ?

@A.M.
My personal opinion is we cannot afford any Muslim states to avoid us or show unnecessary enmity for the time being, why tough stance and not play diplomatically, refuse and keep them happy at the same time?

I disagree, which Muslim nation has offered us true assistance in the past decade? As in, sitting down with our leadership and helping to resolve our issues.

The truth is that private individuals from those nations have actually been assisting the other side via donations to madrassahs. I'm not sure if you caught Ch. Nisar's press conference from the other day where he specifically addressed the foreign funding coming in to those institutions and how government needs to do a better job of keeping track of it.

@Gufi @Jungibaaz @Donatello @Jango @TankMan

 

[Faiez]

I disagree, which Muslim nation has offered us true assistance in the past decade? As in, sitting down with our leadership and helping to resolve our issues.

have our own leaders ever sat down to resolve our issues...?

 

[GURU DUTT]

Pakistan: A Nation for Hire?
​

Written by user A.M. for Pakistan Defense Forums​

Pakistan’s history is littered with events where foreign Islamic nations have asked for assistance and this nation has answered the call every time. Over time such assistance has almost become a given as opposed to something that other nations should be thankful for. As the recent tension with Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates illustrates, it’s evident that we are now expected to provide soldiers for hire whenever there is a conflict in the Islamic world and especially in the Middle East. It doesn’t even matter if our help is necessary or not. Exacerbating the issue is the fact that certain factions within Pakistan promote such behavior as if this nation is responsible for the stupidity of others around the world.


One must ask, why Pakistan? Are we simply being used by others for their personal benefit? Why are some factions within Pakistan hell bent on involving us in conflicts that don’t concern us and offer no strategic benefit to us? The conflict involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen has brought this issue to the forefront and something that needs to be discussed using facts instead of religious emotion. Does Saudi Arabia actually need our help or, once again, is our assistance expected just because? One must also ask, where were these nations when Pakistan was in deep trouble a few years back?


In April, Pakistan’s Parliament voted unanimously in favor of the country’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict in Yemen. From an outside perspective, the decision made absolute sense. The country had a war raging in the North West, tensions rising along the eastern border with India and the western border with Iran and domestic operations going on in multiple provinces. It had zero capacity to get involved in another conflict, especially one with sectarian implications. Pakistan already has had issues containing sectarian violence at home and involving itself in a conflict which is essentially a manifestation of Sunni – Shia struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran could have had disastrous results at home. Pakistan also shares a border with Shia dominant Iran while Saudi Arabia does not.


Another reason for the neutral stance was the Chinese – Pakistan Economic Corridor. China has executed agreements of over $40 Billion to connect the Chinese and Pakistani cities of Kashgar and Gwadar. The agreements include construction of several infrastructure projects including roads and railways between the two cities. A significant concern for the Chinese has been the law and order situation in Pakistan because, after all, if a nation is pouring billions of dollars into another country, it wants assurances that the investment will be safe in the long run. It is rumored that there was pressure from the Chinese to focus entirely on resolving the issues at home instead of sending soldiers to other countries.


On its face, the parliament’s decision was the right one. So why the uproar? Within hours, leaders from Saudi Arabia and its allies in the Middle East were condemning the vote privately and publicly. Pakistan was warned of having to pay a “heavy price” for its decision and was accused of turning its backs on allies. Within months, the prime minster from India was invited for a visit to UAE almost as if to teach Pakistan a lesson for misbehaving. The fact of the matter is that Saudi Arabia doesn’t need our assistance in this conflict or any other for that matter. It has a military budget that is five times larger than Pakistan’s, it is surrounded by friendly or weak nations, its military is equipped with the best hardware that money can buy, it routinely executes multi-billion dollar deals with western nations. As this article was being written, King Salman was in the U.S. to sign a $1 billion arms agreement. The kingdom already has enough friends to support its adventures in the Middle East, it doesn’t need another.


It’s high time that our government articulate a tough stance on this issue and make it clear, internally and externally, that Pakistan isn’t a nation for hire. Pakistan will get involved in foreign conflicts, but as a mediator, not aggressor. Pakistan will take a neutral stance on conflicts so it can solve them, not inflame them. Pakistan’s sons won’t give up their lives for someone else, their blood will only be spilled to protect this nation from its enemies. Pakistan should forge strategic relations with nations who invest in Pakistan, not countries who grant “friendly gifts” to sway the politicians in their favor. “Friendly nations” who won’t admonish logical decisions, but will support them.


This is a critical time for Pakistan and the focus should be at home so that this country can move forward and realize its true potential. Our primary concern should be the people of Pakistan and not Kings and Ministers of other nations. We are a proud nation and its time we start behaving like one.


@WebMaster @Horus @fatman17 @Serpentine @Oscar

dont know if you know urdu or youtube works in your nation but if it works see this clip

 

[[Bregs]]

Solider for hire is very strange thing for a nation to do and pakistan must not send its forces to other areas of conflict and instead shall look for itself

 

[Side-Winder]

Nice Article. Thanks for Writing

 

[A.M.]

have our own leaders ever sat down to resolve our issues...?

Haha, touche'.

In all seriousness, you can feel the winds of change blowing in the air. The nationalism coming back after so many years, just look at the celebrations of Independence and Defense Days around the country. People are beginning to feel positive about the direction of the nation. Do we have amazing leaders at the helm? No...But they are certainly better than the ones before.

It's an important time for Pakistan. The question is can we stay the course or get derailed like we have done so many times in the past.

 

[I.R.A]

Uss mein kiya maza hai ?


I disagree, which Muslim nation has offered us true assistance in the past decade? As in, sitting down with our leadership and helping to resolve our issues.

The truth is that private individuals from those nations have actually been assisting the other side via donations to madrassahs. I'm not sure if you caught Ch. Nisar's press conference from the other day where he specifically addressed the foreign funding coming in to those institutions and how government needs to do a better job of keeping track of it.

@Gufi @Jungibaaz @Donatello @Jango @TankMan

Which Muslim nation we have assisted in true sense in past decade? Except Afghanistan that too hates us now? Muslim world is full of politics of families (Pakistan), houses (ME) and authoritative Mullahs (Iran).

Government (Ch Nisar) not only needs to keep check on funding coming for madrassahs it also needs to check Ayan Ali types, fake currency being printed in the country, will you believe I have encountered fake currency while counting packet of 100 for PKR 1000 twice or thrice, and rampant corruption. The dilemma of our governments has been, concentrating on one issue and ignoring many others, lack of multitasking and proactive thinking has been demonstrated many times. My point being you cannot blame others for your own incompetency and lack of proper check and control in place.

Bahi hajj pay ruwangi hay ALLAH khairiat say lay jy ap ko aur affiyat say wapis lay, aur ALLAH ap ki ibadat aur Hajj qabool kary, bus aik arz hay hamary liay bhi dua karna aur yeh dua zaroor karna kay "Ay ALLAH Pakistan ko kissi ka mohtaj na bana, Pakistan ko itna day kay aur itna mazboot kar kay jab Pakistan ko kissi aur ki madad karni pary to hath na rukay".